I’m very happy to announce a new venture that myself and several other converts from the reformed faith to Catholicism have started. It’s a website we’ve dubbed “Called to Communion.”
The site’s goal is to foster communication between the spheres of the churches of the reformation and the Catholic Church.
All of us have learned and grown in our faith during our time in the reformed communities and appreciate the depth that lies therein. But we have all come to agree that the fullness of the Christian faith subsists in the Catholic Church and we want to talk about those ideas with our reformed brethren.
The roster of guys who will be writing on this site blew me away the first time I read it. These are the most irenic, respectful, even keeled converts I know on the web. There’s even a few PhD’s in the mix! There will be no Jew-bashing, turn-or-burn polemics here. Only reasoned dialogue between brothers in Christ.
The main part of the site will consist of peer-reviewed articles on topics of major difference between Catholics and reformed. There will also be a blog where readers can discuss the articles and other subjects pertinent to the mission of the site.
So, I hope you stop by early and often. I think it’ll be a great site to discuss the issues that divide us now so that one day, by God’s grace, they will unite us.
Homesick No More 
5 comments
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March 1, 2009 at 5:20 pm
respectmyauthorita
I find your conversion story either very ironic or very interesting. Most people i know that bounce between christianity and catholicism usually only hop over the fence one way. I have never known, aside from you, a christian that went “backwards” (ha!) over the fence. I had only seen catholics come my way over the fence. Its been a real commonplace as well. But what struck me as odd or ironic was your reasons for doing so. Everyone ive talked to who was catholic who made the jump on over, said that they felt crippled by the head knowledge, and the doctrine of it all. and felt there was no body or heart in the message, so they left. They felt that the essence of christianity was lost in all the church politics and government structure, doctrine. And that the most important thing was the practical christian life. Which was funny because you cited a similar thing for going catholic, the headknowledge thing. I honestly am happy you feel good about your decision, but it makes no logical sense to me,in that respect. But to each their own.
March 9, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Tim A. Troutman
It’s impossible to convert to the Catholic Church on an intellectual conviction. I’m sure Matt will agree. An intellectual conviction can certainly point you that direction, but you must submit to the authority of the Church to convert and intellect might help here, but faith does the work. As Chesterton, I think, said the doorway to the Church is low, you have to kneel to enter.
The reverse is not true of course. And there is no “conversion” to the Protestant community for a Catholic. There is simply a falling away from Catholicism. I could be PCA again tomorrow.
As for their complaint of Catholicism, contemporary Catholic homilies and parish life is typically the lamest thing one can imagine – no arguments here. We converts became Catholic in spite of these problems, certainly not because of them.
March 11, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Matthew N. Petersen
I suppose another reason for becoming Catholic is the Theotokos. In a very real sense it would be easier to become Orthodox than Catholic because of her–they have her much more fully than Roman Catholics, Catholics have the doctrines, Orthodox the prayers. But to become Orthodox is to reject the Little Flower and St. Francis and Dante and St. John of the Cross and the whole western Church.
So maybe I should say another reason for becoming Catholic is the Theotokos and the Western saints.
March 31, 2009 at 7:14 pm
jon
Apropos of nothing, that’s a nice banner photo you got there. I can almost taste the whiskey, smoke, and prayers.
May 1, 2009 at 2:04 pm
NC Sue
I, too, am a convert, and have found the fullness of faith in the Catholic church. I do appreciate your stance of avoiding attacks on those who have not embraced our faith. Our Lord desires unity in his Church, and this will never be achieved by attacking and alienating.
God bless you.